Belleville councilwoman apologizes for racial remark

There were some passionate pleas from Belleville residents at Tuesday night's Township Council meeting.

File photo

First Ward Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke.

Most came in response to a public apology from First Ward Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke, for a racial slur against African-Americans that's been attributed to her, which she has denied saying.

file photo

Burke issued the apology early in the meeting, reading what appeared to be a prepared statement from her seat behind the dais. She first read a statement about racism, and told the audience that she's never treated someone different based on the color of their skin.

She said that she doesn't remember saying the racial remark, recorded on an answering machine several years ago, and never meant to offend anyone.

"I truly am sorry," she said.

Strumolo Burke has come under fire in recent months after a recording was leaked to the public. The recorded message was left on the answering machine of Deputy Mayor Kevin Kennedy. The comment was made following remarks about a possible tax increase in town.

The recording was also posted on the video sharing website, YouTube.

It started circulating just as candidates in the May council race kicked up their campaigns. Strumolo Burke ran against Ray Kimble for mayor, but lost. However, her term as council member does not expire until 2016.

An independent analysis conducted of the recording by a Michigan-based audio expert confirmed with 85-percent certainty that the female voice in question on the recording belonged to Strumolo Burke.

Strumolo Burke has repeatedly denied the voice was hers, and has refused to step down from her council position, which she has held since 2004.

The council in April passed a resolution asking the National Democratic Committee, the State Democratic Committee, and the Essex County Democratic Committee to issue a public censure of Strumolo Burke.

The resolution also called for her to be removed from her position as Belleville's Democratic Chair. She now serves as vice-chair.

A notice of intention to recall Strumolo Burke from her council position has been filed with the municipal clerk's office.

During public comment Tuesday, a resident who identified herself as Miss Winslow said in response to the apology that she doesn't feel someone should apologize for something they don't remember saying. Winslow said she could accept her apology on a personal level - but not as one coming from an elected official: "As someone who represents the town and is supposed to represent the good of all, I can't accept (the apology) because you don't remember saying (the slur)."

The backlash from the recording could have been diffused months ago with a simple apology, Winslow told Strumolo Burke.

But the contrition coming now was poor timing, she said.

Resident Jeff Mattingly echoed her comments about the timing, saying that while the apology sounded nice and heartfelt, it was "three months too late." He claimed the apology was in response to the recall petition.

Mary Short, who has appeared at past meetings representing the township's Public Works employees, said she plans to hold Strumolo Burke accountable for "what she'll be doing from today forward." She asked that Department of Public Works employees be free to go about their business without the threat of retaliation.

She told those present at the meeting that "We have to learn how to forgive," and "we have to be mindful of what we say."

Resident Georgeann Polite garnered applause when she asked Strumolo Burke to offer a more passionate apology, to match the passion in which Strumolo Burke has denied accusations that she said the slur.

She called on the councilwoman to issue an apology to all residents of the town, via local newspapers and through a letter to each household.

"I challenge you to be the woman behind that voice," she said.

Mayor Ray Kimble, who had initially called for Strumolo Burke's resignation, said that if the councilwoman had admitted to saying the racial remark initially, the township could have started to heal. He said it was difficult for him to accept her apology.

Mill Street housing

A fiery exchange between Township Attorney Thomas Murphy and resident Vincent Frantantoni forced Kimble to bang his gavel and break up the conversation.

The exchange was over the Franklin Manor housing development planned at the corner of Mill Street and Franklin Avenue, and a resolution on the meeting agenda that would authorize the governing body to execute an amended financial agreement between the town and developer.

As in previous meetings, Frantantoni complained that the project has been fraudulently advertised as senior housing. Murphy asked that he not use the term "fraudulently," as it is a strong word, but did say that is age-restricted housing, for those 55 and older.

The project has been criticized for the use of Sandy funds toward it. Those displaced by the hurricane will get priority in the building. It's been feared that seniors from out of town will take up residence there, limiting the opportunity for the most local seniors to secure spaces.

Murphy said that it's unlikely residents of towns along the shore who were most impacted by the storm will move to Belleville to live in the complex. He said that following the storm, when developers were looking for work, "Belleville was ready."

"I think it's going to be a good thing for Belleville," Murphy said.

Frantantoni argued that local taxpayers shouldn't have to subsidize the housing.

The argument escalated when Murphy implied that the property isn't bringing in any revenue while it sits vacant, to which Frantantoni countered that it's a picnic area.

Public comments

Carpenter Terrace resident Dee Hank complained that part of the vacant SoHo hospital property that abuts Carpenter Street is not being cared for. She said the grass has grown as tall as her, and that while someone is cutting the grass on the top of the property, the section along Carpenter Street seems to be ignored. Township Manager Kevin Esposito said that an inspector would be sent out the next day to look at the property.

Resident Florence Pentol said she recently had a "terrible" time trying to visit a business on Washington Avenue because of parking. She did not name the business or any near it, but said it contained a junk yard. "It's a disaster trying to park over there," she said. Kennedy said the problem was that a two-hour parking ordinance should be changed to force motorists to move their car after two hours, and not remain on the street.

Ordinances/resolutions

The council introduced an ordinance renaming the Soho Sitting Park at the corner of Mill and Harrison streets the Angelo C. Risoli Sitting Park.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the township engineer to advertise bids for the reconstruction of and improvements to various roadways as part of the 2014 Road Program, including Honiss, Ralph Wallace, Carpenter and Lawrence streets, and Newark Place. Much of the funding is coming from grants, and the township has bonded for capital improvements to supplement financing.

The council also OK'd a resolution setting the date for "Just a Party" in Belleville. The event is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 24, with a rain date of Monday, Sept. 29, on Franklin Avenue between Joralemon Street and Continental Avenue.

Several resolutions congratulated students for receiving Unico awards. The council also passed resolutions proclaiming July 23 as "Zigmund Gasiewicz Day" and July 24 as "Peter Gasiewicz Day,"in honor of the father and son war veterans.

Burke issued the apology early in the meeting, reading what appeared to be a prepared statement from her seat behind the dais. She first read a statement about racism, and told the audience that she's never treated someone different based on the color of their skin.

She said that she doesn't remember saying the racial remark, recorded on an answering machine several years ago, and never meant to offend anyone.

"I truly am sorry," she said.

Strumolo Burke has come under fire in recent months after a recording was leaked to the public. The recorded message was left on the answering machine of Deputy Mayor Kevin Kennedy. The comment was made following remarks about a possible tax increase in town.

The recording was also posted on the video sharing website, YouTube.

It started circulating just as candidates in the May council race kicked up their campaigns. Strumolo Burke ran against Ray Kimble for mayor, but lost. However, her term as council member does not expire until 2016.

An independent analysis conducted of the recording by a Michigan-based audio expert confirmed with 85-percent certainty that the female voice in question on the recording belonged to Strumolo Burke.

Strumolo Burke has repeatedly denied the voice was hers, and has refused to step down from her council position, which she has held since 2004.

The council in April passed a resolution asking the National Democratic Committee, the State Democratic Committee, and the Essex County Democratic Committee to issue a public censure of Strumolo Burke.

The resolution also called for her to be removed from her position as Belleville's Democratic Chair. She now serves as vice-chair.

A notice of intention to recall Strumolo Burke from her council position has been filed with the municipal clerk's office.

During public comment Tuesday, a resident who identified herself as Miss Winslow said in response to the apology that she doesn't feel someone should apologize for something they don't remember saying. Winslow said she could accept her apology on a personal level - but not as one coming from an elected official: "As someone who represents the town and is supposed to represent the good of all, I can't accept (the apology) because you don't remember saying (the slur)."

The backlash from the recording could have been diffused months ago with a simple apology, Winslow told Strumolo Burke.

But the contrition coming now was poor timing, she said.

Resident Jeff Mattingly echoed her comments about the timing, saying that while the apology sounded nice and heartfelt, it was "three months too late." He claimed the apology was in response to the recall petition.

Mary Short, who has appeared at past meetings representing the township's Public Works employees, said she plans to hold Strumolo Burke accountable for "what she'll be doing from today forward." She asked that Department of Public Works employees be free to go about their business without the threat of retaliation.

She told those present at the meeting that "We have to learn how to forgive," and "we have to be mindful of what we say."

Resident Georgeann Polite garnered applause when she asked Strumolo Burke to offer a more passionate apology, to match the passion in which Strumolo Burke has denied accusations that she said the slur.

She called on the councilwoman to issue an apology to all residents of the town, via local newspapers and through a letter to each household.